Page 7 of Emperor of Corruption
I lick my lips, taking a step back as he begins to advance forward. “I apologize for my unprofessionalism—”
“Digging isn’t unprofessional,” he interrupts me yet again. “I would expect nothing less from a Pulitzer-prize winning reporter. At such a young age, as well.” He stops in the center of the room and cocks his head to the side. “Tell me, did growing up without parents contribute to your drive for success? EvenIhave to admit that your work ethic is impressive. Senior Staff Writer and award-winning investigative journalist at all of twenty-five years old.” He chuckles, shaking his head. “There are very few people in the world who can boast of such accomplishments.”
His words rob me of all breath. He’s done research on me—thoroughresearch. He knows things about me that I’ve carefully scrubbed from my records. For whatever reason, Killian King has actuallylooked intome, and that is as terrifying as being trapped alone in a room with him after he discovered me snooping.
“Killian—”
“Is it Killian now? You were so adamant about sticking toMr. King.”
“Mr. King—”
Hesteps forward, startling me. “No. Donotspeak out of turn in my domain. You’ve been caught in the act, Lyra.” He slowly tilts his head to the side. “Do you have any idea what I could do to you?”
Get me fired and blacklist me at best…killme at worst.
The notion doesn’t seem so preposterous now that I’m trapped in a room with him. In fact, it seemsplausible. Few men achieve Killian’s level of wealth without getting their hands bloody.
“Please don’t kill me,” I whisper, all bluster gone.
He tilts his head in a gesture that’s decidedly odd—almost avian in nature. “I could kill you,” he says. “I could do it out in the open with a hundred witnesses… and no one would prosecute me. Not if they wanted their families to remain safe.” He takes another step forward. A scream traps itself in my throat. I already suspected that Killian had a darkness in him, but now he’s superseding my worst fears. “Or, I could have you fired, your Pulitzer withdrawn, and force you to live out the rest of your life working at a fast-food chain.” Another step, and a full-body chill wracks through me. “Alternatively… I could give you a fair punishment for your crime.”
I don’t know what fair means to him, but I’m certain we have different definitions.
“Decisions, decisions,” he says casually.
“The party is still going on—”
“Stop. Talking,” he says. His tone is perfectly mild, but the undercurrent is abundantly clear. If I don’t shut the fuck up right now, things will get much worse for me.
“The gala has come to a close,” he says after several moments. “The guests have all left. It’s just us… and my security team here. I suppose I could give you over to my team for punishment, but…” he gives a mockshudder. “Honestly, Lyra, I don’t think you’d enjoy that very much.Icertainly wouldn’t.”
I bite my tongue to hold in a retort. The power imbalance has been clear to me from the start, but never quite as intensely as it is now. Right now, I can’t evenspeakwithout his permission. Not if I want the slightest chance of escaping this room with my life.
Killian drifts another two steps closer. Now, he’s right on the other side of the desk, and I have never been so afraid in my life. My hands tremble so much one would be forgiven for thinking I'm in Antarctica without a coat.
Killian’s eyes drop to my hands, and then theybrighten, filling with even more excitement. He’s getting off on my fear—I can feel it.Tasteit.
“I want you to understand something before we proceed,” he says, his tone mockingly gentle. He meets my gaze again. “You are insignificant to such a degree it’s astounding. You’re too young, toopoorto merit my notice. You’re an ant that I could crush in my jaws—one not evenworthyof crushing because I’d reap no measurable benefit from it. You may think you have protection or recourse, but let me assure you that youdon’t. Right now, youronlychance of walking away from here on your own two legs, with your career intact and livelihoodmostlyintact, is by doing everything I say.” He plants his palms on the desk and leans forward. “EverythingI say,” he repeats for emphasis, and a harsh understanding overcomes me.
This psycho is going to force himself on me.
“Do you understand?” he questions.
I nod shakily—what other choice am I left with?
I’m no stranger to assault—I’m a woman living in New York City, after all. Nearly every female I know has experienced it in one form or another. My experiences have paled in comparison to some, but I’vebeen grabbed inappropriately before. I’ve been forced or coerced to certain extents… but never to the extent that I suspect I’m about to be.
It's either this, death, or destruction of the life you’ve fought to build.
The thought of going to the police barely flits through my mind, and as soon as it does, I dismiss it. I’d be shocked if there was a single cop in this city who wasn’t on Killian’s payroll. I saw the chief of police out in the gala earlier—anything I say would only harmme.
No, all that’s left for me now is to endure whatever horror is coming, pick myself up in the morning, and start on my exposé.
Killian’s going to hurt me tonight? I’m going to fuckingdestroyhim in the press. It’ll take time and more effort than I’ve ever put into my work, but hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
“Good. Then we should get along just fine. Now, I’m sure that pretty little head is filling up with all sorts of ideas. I’m going to do you a favor and stop them before you get yourself into even more trouble. Nobody will believe you if you tell them what’s been done. I have no history of misconduct—” he pauses, catching my flinch when he sayshistory.
Just because he doesn’t have arecordof misconduct doesn’t mean he hasn’t engaged in it. God, how many women has he done something like this to? How many lives has he ruined?
